Bhubaneswar: The development authority's 36th foundation day turned out to be a low-key affair on Saturday with a simple function at its offices.

Officials released its annual report and distributed prizes for children of employees who fared well in the Class X boards exam.

Tourism and culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda chaired a meeting attended by mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, MP Prasanna Patsani, MLAs Bijay Kumar Mohanty and Priyadarshi Mishra, vice-chairman Krishan Kumar and senior officials of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority. Panda called for commitment to excel as a city with several elements such as heritage, culture, infrastructure and smart liveability. He promised that the department would be ready to extend its support to the development authority.

He also unveiled the annual report that chronicled the performance of 16 branches of and the Bhubaneswar Urban Knowledge Centre.

Patsani cited the example of the Kerala floods and said they had paid the price for violating the eco-sensitive zones. "We must learn from these mistakes and refrain from encroaching from the course of natural drainage channels so that there would be less urban flooding and waterlogging,'' he said.

Requesting reporters for constructive criticism, he said: "Let media also work in educating people in this regard so that we can build a beautiful city sans urban flooding.''

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said: "Despite criticism, we have to work hard in making the city free from urban flooding and waterlogging as we need enforcement activities to have an international standard sporting venue before the hockey world cup.''